Forceps or Suction?

**Danni K** · February 27th, 2008, 09:31 AM

I was just writing my birthing plan and would like any information or opinions on a assisted delivery. I have heard a horror story about using vaccuum extraction which has really frightened me but then forceps seem so harsh and don't seem as popular nowdays. Hopefully this won't even need to be a consideration and bubby will be born naturally without any assistance but really want to be more informed on this topic. I lean towards forceps but would love to hear about your thoughts and experiences. Thanks!
______________________________
Me 32

DH 29
DD 3 years

EDD 23/3/08

**meow** · February 27th, 2008, 09:33 AM

That's a great question. I have my head firmly in the sand on this one! It would be better to have an idea of which I would prefer it came to it though.

**Arimeh** · February 27th, 2008, 09:39 AM

If it helps any, my OB has a newsletter that she gives her clients when you first go and see her about her "way" of doing things, and she said in that that she prefers the vacuum as a method of "extraction". I haven't had one personally so can't speak on a personal level - sorry!!

**chepie** · February 27th, 2008, 09:44 AM

Hi Danni,

Aiden was born using the mighty Vac becuase he was pos and stuck! They needed to get him ASAP as he had digested mec...I had an epi so they just topped that up and gave me a block to get him out... Yes his little head was bruised and sore and ended up in the Newborn Centre for 5 days (because of the mec) but he needed to come out! I prefered that to foreceps as they just scare me

wishing you natural birth babe xxx GL

**visitor1** · February 27th, 2008, 09:54 AM

Chelsea was vac extracted. She was not crowning and had swallowed meconium. Her heart rate was going to low and they needed her out fast. The OB on duty that day preferred vac over forceps as he said it has less after delivery trauma for baby and mum.

Chelsea came out fine, her her was still perfect shape, the suction mark went away within a few hours, no bruising or anything. I guess the only down side was that my hossy likes to give vitamin K to babies if they are born via vac, forceps or c-section. I didnt really want her to have it but i thought it would be best for her.

If i ever had the choice if go vac over forceps.

I never had an episiotomy (sp?) either....but i did get a 2nd degree tear as Chelsea came out very fast.

**fionas** · February 27th, 2008, 09:55 AM

I don't know for sure but I would think it would depend on circumstances/position of the baby. My ob didn't give me a choice and used forceps but at that stage my instruction to him was "do whatever it takes" after being in prelabour/labour for three days.

I'd had an epi (which was wearing off) and I'm sure that made a difference to the experience. It felt odd and peculiar but was no big deal. My ob is also pretty experienced with forceps I would say and certainly knew what he was doing. He told me that it would take two or three pushes from me and he would have my DD out. That's exactly what happened. She was perfect, no bruises, no marks and I had two minor stitches. But I think other obstetricians don't use them very often (preferring to deliver 'stuck' babies by caesarean) so are perhaps more nervous and a bit out of practice.

I wouldn't hesitate to have forceps again but I appreciate they can sound scary beforehand!

**Tobily** · February 27th, 2008, 10:46 AM

I also think vac extraction is probably less traumatic for mum and bub, but I also think it depends on the position of the baby and how low down it is as to which one will best suit the situation kwim.

**Astrid** · February 27th, 2008, 10:49 AM

I had 3 attempted ve's with DD before they considered forceps and went for a c-section. The damage the ve attempts did to her were not great, they really damaged her ability to breastfeed and caused problems down the track with head movement and reflux. So as with any intervention only have one if need be, not to just hurry things up for other reasons.

**Amie** · February 27th, 2008, 11:41 AM

Vacuum extraction puts alot of pressure on bubs' tiny little head and nervous system. But on the other hand many obs don't seem to be very adept with forceps and I think they prefer vac extractions maybe for that reason.

As previous posters have said, if it's looking like you'll need interventions make sure it's because it's absolutely necessary and not just to "hurry things along" (that goes for syntocin, epidural, everything!).